Stem Cell-based Therapies for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis:

More than just another symptome treating medicine

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is caused by the progressive death of cerebral (upper) and spinal (lower) motor neurons. It is a complex disease which involves the activation of several cellular pathways in both neurons and glial cells (Figure 1). This results in a severe motor dysfunction muscles become atrophic due to the lack of nerve stimulation. Often, the origin of the disease is unknown. ALS is not a typical autoimmune disorder, since autoimmune and inflammatory abnormalities are not the cause of the disease, even though they influence its progression.

The therapeutic strategy used for treating ALS is aimed at protecting neurons from degeneration, and to stimulate cell regeneration. However, currently there is no drug treatment that can restore neural cells.

Stem Cell-based therapies may be the answer. A study by Mazzini et al. demonstrated that the procedure of ex vivo expansion of autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and of transplantation into the spinal cord of humans are safe and well tolerated by ALS patients. A more recent study, by the same group, however, confirmed that MSC transplantation into the spinal cord of ALS patients is not only safe, but might also serve as a treatment option for future cell-based clinical trials for the treatment of ALS (Figure 2).

Many current preclinical studies suggest that stem cell transplantation has the best effect when aimed towards protecting, rather than replacing or repairing the motor neurons of ALS patients.

Our experience shows that Stem Cell Secretome is a promising, novel strategy that appears to be more effective than the cells themselves. It is the essence of stem cells, and combines neuroprotection and recovery of neuromotorial function. We offer this novel, highly advanced, safe and efficient stem cell-based therapy for treating patients with ALS. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

Looking at ALS on a cellular level: Why do Stem Cells have a huge potential to help?

The Stem Cell Secretome for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Several clinical trials with stem cells for ALS are ongoing. As usual during studies, new insights emerge. The Anova Stem Cell Secretome is the product of the latest insights to what actually causes the stem cell therapies to be effective. Stem Cell Secretome for ALS employs mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) secretome for a variety of reasons. As explained in detail in our Information for Professionals section, MSCs secrete many trophic (e.g. SDF-1α, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, prostaglandin E2, TGF-β1, HGF, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, SCF, LIF, FGF-2, VEGF, IL-6, VEGF, Neurotrophin-3 (NT3), SDF-1α, EGF and BDNF) and neuroprotective factors (e.g. NGF, GDNF and BDNF). Additionally, among the micro vesicles secreted from the MSC, are the very important exosomes transporting microRNAs (miR-29a, miR-9, miR-124, miR-145). It is known that the exposure of neurons and astrocytes with MSC secreted exosomes leads to an increase of miR-133b which was shown to promote functional neurological recovery. The Anova Stem Cell Secretome is designed to harness these and many other factors in a high concentrate, produced in a lab using GMP methods.

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